Area dentists providing free tooth extractions Saturday

Area dentists will perform tooth extractions at no cost Saturday to local residents in need of immediate dental care.

Area dentists will perform tooth extractions at no cost Saturday to local residents in need of immediate dental care.

Saturday is Gary S. Johnson Free Dental Clinic day, held for families and individuals who do not regularly receive dental care because of lack of access or insurance.

The free extractions will take place at 109 North Regency Drive. Doors open at 8 a.m., and visitations will be limited.

For 10 years, the John Scott Center for Health Services and Drs. Doran, Capodice, Efaw and Ocheltree LLC have held free dental clinic days to help serve a growing population of residents. Many can't afford expensive dental procedures and opt to forego seeking any dental care, until deteriorating oral health requires an extraction or oral surgery.

"This clinic is very instrumental in meeting the needs of underserved patients or have no alternative option for treatment," Dr. Jack Capodice said in a news release. "Many local dentists are doing what they can to treat these patients."

Free clinic days are held twice a year. Illinois has among the lowest funding rates in the nation for many dental procedures that are provided to patients covered by state-funded programs.

"The current state of the economy, which has left hundreds of people unemployed and without health care coverage might bring out an even larger crowd when compared to the 125 patients they see on average for these events," Capodice said.